5/25/2021 - Regular - DRAFT
May 25, 2021
357
Roanoke County Administration Center
5204 Bernard Drive
Roanoke, Virginia 24018
The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia met this day at the
Roanoke County Administration Center, this being the second regularly scheduled
meeting of the month of May 2021. Audio and video recordings of this meeting will be
held on file for a minimum of five (5) years in the office of the Clerk to the Board of
Supervisors.
IN RE: OPENING CEREMONIES
Before the meeting was called to order, a moment of silence was
observed. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.
IN RE: CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Peters called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m. The roll call was
taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman P. Jason Peters; Supervisors Martha B. Hooker,
Paul M. Mahoney, Phil C. North and David F. Radford
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Daniel R. O’Donnell, County Administrator; Richard
Caywood, Assistant County Administrator; Rebecca Owens,
Assistant County Administrator; Peter S. Lubeck, County
Attorney; Amy Whittaker, Public Information Officer and
Deborah C. Jacks, Chief Deputy Clerk to the Board
IN RE: PROCLAMATIONS, RESOLUTIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
1. Resolution congratulating the Glenvar High School Girls Swim
Team for winning the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 2
Championship (Martha B. Hooker, Catawba Magisterial District
Supervisor)
The resolution was read by the Clerk. There was no discussion.
May 25, 2021
358
RESOLUTION 052521-1 CONGRATULATING THE GLENVAR
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SWIM TEAM FOR WINNING THE
VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE (VHSL) CLASS 2A
CHAMPIONSHIP
WHEREAS, athletic competitions are an important and integral part of the team
curriculum at schools in Roanoke County; teaching cooperation, sportsmanship,
teamwork and athletic skill; and
WHEREAS, on March 6, 2021, the Glenvar High School Girls’ Swim Team won
the class 2A team state championship at the Christiansburg Aquatic Center. The girls
scored 287 points to top runner-up Strasburg’s score of 209 points; and
WHEREAS, individually, Reese Dunkenberger won the 100 yard freestyle
championship for the third consecutive year and the 100 yard backstroke. Claire Griffith
won the 50 yard freestyle title for the second consecutive year. Relay state champions
in the 200 yard medley relay were Reese Dunkenberger, Isabelle Pope, Adrianna Hall
and Claire Griffith. Relay state champions in the 200 yard freestyle relay were Reese
Dunkenberger, Delaney Eller, Carly Wilkes and Claire Griffith. The state champions in
the 400 yard freestyle relay were Delaney Eller, Carly Wilkes, Natalie McMahon and
Adrianna Hall; and
WHEREAS, during the state championship swim meet, the Glenvar girls won 23
medals, broke 4 school records and Reese Dunkenberger set a new state record in the
50 yard freestyle; and
WHEREAS, the team represented their school and community with great
character, poise and sportsmanship. They are a true asset to Roanoke County; and
WHEREAS, the Highlanders are coached under the dedicated leadership of
Coaches Shannon Hall and Daniel Smith.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County, Virginia does hereby extend its sincere congratulations to the
members of the GLENVAR HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SWIM TEAM: Seniors, Reese
Dunkenberger and Isabelle Pope and McKenna Shearer; Juniors, Delaney Eller and
Carly Wilkes; Sophomores, Claire Griffith and Adrianna Hall and Freshman Natalie
McMahon; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors extends its best
wishes to the members of the team, the coaches, and the school in their future
endeavors.
On motion of Supervisor Hooker to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
Peters and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Radford, Peters
NAYS: None
May 25, 2021
359
2. Resolution congratulating the Glenvar High School Girls Indoor
Track Team for winning the Virginia High School League (VHSL)
Class 1A/2/A Championship (Martha B. Hooker, Catawba
Magisterial District Supervisor)
The resolution was read by the Clerk. There was no discussion.
RESOLUTION 052521-2 CONGRATULATING THE GLENVAR
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS INDOOR TRACK TEAM FOR WINNING
THE VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE (VHSL) CLASS 1A/2/A
CHAMPIONSHIP
WHEREAS, athletic competitions are an important and integral part of the team
curriculum at schools in Roanoke County; teaching cooperation, sportsmanship,
teamwork and athletic skill; and
WHEREAS, on March 3, 2021, the Glenvar High School Girls’ Indoor Track
Team won the Class 1A/2A team state championship at Liberty University. The girls put
up 65 points to out distance Posquoson’s score of 58 points; and
WHEREAS, Junior Delaney Eller is a part of the 4 x 400 relay team and came in
third in the 500m. Junior Carrie Horrell is also a part of the girls 4 x 400 relay team and
came in third in the 500m. Sophomore Sydney Loder is the state champion in the 55m
hurdles and a part of the 4 x 400 relay team. Sydney took second in the 300m and third
in the high jump. Junior Carly Wilkes is a two-time 2020 and 2021 state champion and
record holder in the 1600m. She is also the state champion in the 1000m and a part of
the 4 x 400 relay team this season. Every relay team has to rely on an alternate that can
come in and assist in time of need and Senior Daylie Umbarger has been a major
contributor to the relay teams over the past to years.
WHEREAS, the team represented their school and community with great
character, poise and sportsmanship. They are a true asset to Roanoke County; and
WHEREAS, the Highlanders are coached under the dedicated leadership of
Coach Bekka Loder.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County, Virginia does hereby extend its sincere congratulations to the members of the
GLENVAR HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS INDOOR TRACK TEAM: Delaney Eller, Carrie
Horrell, Sydney Loder, Daylie Umbarger and Carly Wilkes; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors extends its best wishes to
the members of the team, the coaches and the school in their future endeavors.
On motion of Supervisor Hooker to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
North and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Radford, Peters
NAYS: None
May 25, 2021
360
3. Resolution congratulating Jake Cline, Glenvar High School, for
winning the Virginia High School League (VSHL) Region C
Championship in Wrestling (Martha B. Hooker, Catawba
Magisterial District Supervisor)
The resolution was read by the Clerk. There was no discussion.
RESOLUTION 052521-3 CONGRATULATING JAKE CLINE, GLENVAR
HIGH SCHOOL, FOR WINNING THE VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL
LEAGUE (VSHL) REGION C CHAMPIONSHIP IN WRESTLING
WHEREAS, athletic competitions are an important and integral part of the team
curriculum at schools in Roanoke County; teaching cooperation, sportsmanship,
teamwork and athletic skill; and
WHEREAS, on February 22, 2021, Jake Cline, scored on a two-point takedown
just seconds into his match and never gave up the lead as he earned a 6-3 decision
over Clarke County in the 132 pound weight class and defeated three returning state
place winners on his way to winning his first state title; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cline finished his season with an undefeated overall record of
10-0 and had an outstanding postseason where he won the Region C championship for
the second year in a row; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cline is proud to be an honor roll student and active in his
community.
WHEREAS, Mr. Cline represented his school and community with great
character, poise and sportsmanship. He is a true asset to Roanoke County; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County, Virginia does hereby extend its sincere congratulations to MR. JAKE
CLINE, State Region C Champion; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors extends its best
wishes to Mr. Cline, the coaches and the school in their future endeavors.
On motion of Supervisor Hooker to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
Radford and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Radford, Peters
NAYS: None
4. Resolution congratulating Carly Wilkes, Glenvar High School, for
winning the Virginia High School League (VSHL) Class 2A
Championship in Girls Cross County (Martha B. Hooker, Catawba
Magisterial District Supervisor
The resolution was read by the Clerk. There was no discussion.
May 25, 2021
361
RESOLUTION 052521-4 CONGRATULATING CARLY WILKES,
GLENVAR HIGH SCHOOL, FOR WINNING THE VIRGINIA HIGH
SCHOOL LEAGUE (VSHL) 2A CHAMPIONSHIP IN GIRLS
CROSS COUNTRY
WHEREAS, athletic competitions are an important and integral part of the team
curriculum at schools in Roanoke County; teaching cooperation, sportsmanship,
teamwork and athletic skill; and
WHEREAS, on April 22, 2021, Carly Wilkes, won the Class 2A state meet with a
time of 18:13.5 breaking the tape 1:03.1 ahead of her next-closest competitor. Her time
was the fastest among all state champions across all classifications in the
Commonwealth of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the school was unable to host
organized practices or provide training workouts for athletes. This setback did not deter
Carly, as she took it upon herself to reach out to a previous cross country coach at
Virginia Tech and they developed a training workout regimen for the offseason; and
WHEREAS, once the season officially kicked off Carly won the girls race at the
Alleghany Quad Invitational and achieved her pre-race goal of running a sub 18 minute
5k. She not only reached per personal goal, but broke the course record by 50 seconds
with a time of 17:49. Carly ran in the Pole Green Spring Championships in Richmond
where she set yet another new personal record of 17:26, winning the race by 25
seconds; and
WHEREAS, Miss Wilkes was chosen as the 2021 Girls Cross Country Gatorade
Player of the year for the Commonwealth of Virginia, which is one of the most
prestigious award in high school sports; and
WHEREAS, Miss Wilkes represented her school and community with great
character, poise and sportsmanship. She is a true asset to Roanoke County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County, Virginia does hereby extend its sincere congratulations to CARLY
WILKES, the VHSL 2A Champion in Girls Cross Country; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors extends its best
wishes to Miss Wilkes and the school in their future endeavors.
On motion of Supervisor Hooker to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
Mahoney and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Radford, Peters
NAYS: None
May 25, 2021
362
IN RE: REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS AND FIRST READING OF
REZONING ORDINANCES - CONSENT AGENDA
1. The petition of Secure Store, LLC to remove proffered conditions
on approximately 10.064 acres zoned C-2C, High Intensity
Commercial, District with conditions, and to obtain a Special Use
Permit for a mini-warehouse, located adjacent to and south of 925
North Electric Road, Catawba Magisterial District
Supervisor Hooker’s motion to approve the first reading and set the
second reading and public hearing for June 22, 2021, was seconded by Supervisor
Radford and approved by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Radford, Peters
NAYS: None
IN RE: SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES
1. Ordinance approving a lease with Ft. Lewis Mountain Company,
LLC for ingress and egress on a private road to access
communications and information technology equipment (Susan
Slough, Assistant Director of Communications and Information
Technology; Mary Beth Nash, Senior Assistant County Attorney)
Ms. Slough advised there were no changes since the first reading. There
was no discussion.
ORDINANCE 052521-5 APPROVING A LEASE WITH FORT
LEWIS MOUNTAIN COMPANY, LLC FOR INGRESS AND
EGRESS ON A PRIVATE ROAD TO ACCESS
COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
EQUIPMENT
WHEREAS, the County provides public safety services to its citizens and needs
to place various communications equipment at non-County locations to facilitate
communications, particularly public safety communications, throughout the County; and
WHEREAS, given the topography of the County, such equipment is most
effective when placed on elevated locations, such as mountain peaks; and
WHEREAS, the County has identified Fort Lewis Mountain as a viable and
necessary spot for placement of COMM-IT equipment to support the public safety radio
system; and
May 25, 2021
363
WHEREAS, no public road or other viable means of access exists to reach the
County’s COMM-IT equipment atop Fort Lewis Mountain other than the private road
owned by Fort Lewis Mountain Corporation, LLC (“FLMC”); and
WHEREAS, the County has re-negotiated a long-standing contract with FLMC, a
County landowner, for a non-exclusive easement on the FLMC private road to access
such equipment; and
WHEREAS, such a lease will provide tangible and intangible benefits to the
County as it provides public safety services to persons in the County;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County, Virginia, as follows:
1. That pursuant to the provisions of Sections 2.01 and 2.03 of the Charter of
Roanoke County, the County is authorized to acquire property, including the lease of
real estate; and
2. That pursuant to the provisions of Section 18.04 of the Charter of
Roanoke County, the acquisition of any interest in real estate shall be accomplished by
ordinance, the first reading of this ordinance was held on May 11, 2021, and the second
reading of this ordinance was held on May 25, 2021.
3. That the execution of a Lease Agreement (“Agreement”) with Fort Lewis
Mountain Company, LLC, to lease a certain parcel of land on Fort Lewis Mountain is
authorized.
4. That the lease term shall commence on June 1, 2021, and continue
through December 31, 2026, unless terminated as provided in the Agreement.
5. That the rent shall be $7,000 annually during the term of the Agreement.
6. That the County Administrator, or an Assistant County Administrator, is
authorized to execute such documents and take such actions on behalf of the Board of
Supervisors in this matter as are necessary to accomplish the lease of this property, all
of which shall be approved as to form by the County Attorney.
8. That this ordinance shall be effective on and from the date of its adoption.
On motion of Supervisor Peters to adopt the ordinance, seconded by Supervisor
Mahoney and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Radford, Peters
NAYS: None
IN RE: CONSENT AGENDA
RESOLUTION 052521-6 APPROVING AND CONCURRING IN CERTAIN
ITEMS SET FORTH ON THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AGENDA
FOR THIS DATE DESIGNATED AS ITEM G- CONSENT AGENDA
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, as
follows:
May 25, 2021
364
That the certain section of the agenda of the Board of Supervisors for May 25,
2021, designated as Item G - Consent Agenda be, and hereby is, approved and
concurred in as to each item separately set forth in said section designated Items 1
through 3 inclusive, as follows:
1. Approval of minutes – April 13, 2021
2. Request to accept and allocate funds in the amount of $1,612.84 to the Clerk
of the Circuit Court from the Commonwealth of Virginia
3. Request for donation of surplus vehicle to the Mason Cove Civic Club, Inc.
On motion of Supervisor Radford to adopt the resolution, seconded by
Supervisor Mahoney and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Radford, Peters
NAYS: None
A-052521-6.a
A-052521-6.b
IN RE: CITIZENS’ COMMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. William Skaff of 4815 Farmington Place Court read the following:
“The Anti-American Origin of Town Center Density Development
Introduction
This statement consists of three parts. Part 1 presents the United Nations town center
density development ideology; Part 2 follows President Clinton importing it into the
United States and enlisting the American Planning Association to implement it; and Part
3 traces its spread throughout universities and state and local government planning
departments and its sponsorship by President Obama and Mr. Biden. I will deliver Part
1 today and Parts 2 and 3 at subsequent meetings.
Part 1
United Nations Devises Town Center Density Development Ideology to Extort
Developed Nations
Town center density development, currently promoted by the Roanoke County
government, is a community planning concept that has a history. It originates in the anti-
Americanism of the United Nations. Its intention is to reduce the standard of living of
developed countries, particularly the United States, and guilt them into channeling the
resulting unused cash to developing countries. UN propaganda promoted
implementation by socialist control of land through government planning and intrusive
regulations.
May 25, 2021
365
The UN’s assumption is that it is simply too costly for so few people to live on so much
land in developed countries—they just don’t deserve it. By herding people into densely
built town centers, it will cost them less to live, and thus be more, according to the UN,
“sustainable.” They can then afford to pay more taxes, which their government can
redistribute to developing countries. This will be done through developed country
sustainable development grants and concessions coerced by the UN.
The story begins with UN Habitat I in 1976, whose Declaration on Human Settlements
specified that “governments must maintain full jurisdiction and exercise complete
sovereignty over land with a view to freely planning development” \[p. 29, D.1(d)\].
Complete governmental control of land shall make possible “a planned coordination
between orderly urban development and the promotion and location of new
developments.” This will be accomplished through “zoning and land use planning,”
“legal controls, e.g. development building and local permits,” and “fiscal controls, e.g.
property taxes” \[p. 30, D.2(c)\]. Tellingly, the government planning process includes
“economizing land by fixing appropriate densities.” \[p. 32, D.6(c)(vii)\]
The notorious Agenda 21, produced by the UN Earth Summit of 1992, elaborated these
so-called sustainability principles and motivated acceptance of them worldwide. The
document was signed by 179 nations, including the United States. It begins with the
inevitable call for global redistribution of wealth: “the objectives of Agenda 21 will require
a substantial flow of new and additional financial resources to developing countries,” \[p.
1, 1.4\], specifically, a total of $1 trillion from developed countries \[p. 301, 33.18\], nearly
$2 trillion in today’s dollars.
Then comes the attack on American prosperity: “consumption patterns are very high in
certain parts of the world . . . . This results in excessive demands and unsustainable life-
styles.” \[p. 16, 4.5\] Therefore, “developed countries should take the lead in achieving
sustainable consumption patterns.” \[p. 17, 4.8.a.\]
Town center density development is introduced as the mechanism to eventually achieve
a widespread urban transformation in developed as well as developing countries:
“policies and strategies should be implemented towards the development of
intermediate cities.” \[p. 47, 7.18\] Town center density development becomes the
primary planning objective: countries should “conduct reviews of urbanization processes
and policies in order . . . to apply urban planning and management approaches
specifically suited to the needs . . . of their growing intermediate-sized cities.” The
ultimate result is “facilitating the transition from rural to urban lifestyles and settlement
patterns” \[p. 47, 7.19\] for “rapid and sound urban growth.” \[p. 47, 7.20.c.\]
Countries are to use socialist planning approaches to implement the urban
transformation, such as “fiscal incentives and land-use control measures, including
land-use planning solutions” \[p. 49 7.30.c.\], even “the encouragement of communally
and collectively owned and managed land.”
The following letter was read by the Clerk from Mr. Bill Overstreet of the North Lakes
Subdivision:
May 25, 2021
366
“My name is Bill Overstreet and my wife is Linda Cheek. Mr. Peters, you kind of stole
my thunder with your close of comments reference to dispatchers two weeks ago, but at
least we are of the same mind. I was planning on talking about the dispatchers 2 weeks
ago today, but with my wife and I in quarantine to go see our grandkids that weekend, I
had to wait until today to talk to you about this, and add to your introduction to the
st
dispatchers and better pay. March 1, I got out of bed and fell back in bed in cardiac
arrest. My wife woke up. As a retired physician, she recognized my agonal breathing,
got out of bed, grabbed her stethoscope, and determined my heart had stopped. She
called 911 as she began CPR. Dispatcher Simons answered the call, and gave my wife
instructions on CPR until the rescue squad arrived. When the rescue squad arrived,
they did an assessment, and used the defibrillator to get my heart working again. They
then took me to RMH. Dispatchers sit behind the desk as a go-between between the
public and responding agencies. They have to be professional and keep a cool head
when talking to the public. That person who may be calling to the dispatch center may
be irate, hysterical, or frantic over the situation. The dispatcher needs to be able to calm
that person down to get the pertinent information to send the proper agency--police, fire,
or rescue. I know this because I was a dispatcher on the Blue Ridge Parkway from
1979-1989, and then moved on to other park departments. Dispatchers do not get any
acknowledgement of a job well-done, or ataboy/atagirl, etc. They sit behind that desk for
12 hours and put up with the calls that come in and do not usually know what the
outcomes are. In my case, dispatcher Simons was professional in assisting Linda in
doing proper CPR and saving my life. After 6 days in the hospital and being released,
and a week of rehabilitation, I wanted to recognize Station 5 for their job well done. I
found out which shift came to the house and what day they would be at the station. On
that day, Linda and I went to the station and met the 5 men that came to the house. We
thanked them for saving my life, and presented each of them with a large pizza as a
thank you. A couple days later, I advised Linda that I needed to do something for
dispatcher Simons. I contacted Martha Hooker and told her what I wanted to do. She
contacted Bill Hunter who contacted me. I advised Mr. Hunter of what I wanted to do for
dispatcher Simons. On the day set up, we went to the dispatch center to meet Ms.
Simons, presented her a plaque of a certificate of appreciation for saving my life. This is
my way of acknowledging the dispatcher of a job well done. We showed our
appreciation to the entire center with a lunch of pizza .I contacted the county
administrator and asked him what could be done to raise the salaries for dispatchers.
He advised me that county employees will be getting cost of living and he would also
look into the market area on 911 centers on how their dispatchers are being paid. I
would hope that you, the board, and county administrator can meet and achieve a
salary over the market rate to maintain the employment of the professional dispatchers
that we have in Roanoke County. Also, please look into some type of award system like
the Red Cross does once a year for 911 operators, either monthly, quarterly, semi-
annually or annually, with a certificate or monetary gift to show your appreciation for a
job well done at the center.”
May 25, 2021
367
IN RE: REPORTS
Supervisor Mahoney moved to receive and file the following reports. The
motion was seconded by Supervisor North and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Radford, Peters
NAYS: None
1. Unappropriated, Board Contingency and Capital Reserves Report
2. Outstanding Debt Report
3. Comparative Statement of Budgeted and Actual Revenues as of April
30, 2021
4. Comparative Statement of Budgeted and Actual Expenditures and
Encumbrances as of April 30, 2021
5. Accounts Paid – April 30, 2021
6. Statement of Treasurer's Accountability per Investment and Portfolio
Policy as of April 30, 2021
IN RE: CLOSED MEETING
At 3:48 p.m., Supervisor Peters moved to go into closed meeting following
the work sessions pursuant to the Code of Virginia Section 2.2-3711.A.1 - Discussion,
consideration, or interviews of prospective candidates for employment; assignment,
appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining, or resignation of
specific public officers, appointees, or employees of any public body; namely to discuss
the terms of the Board's contract with the County Administrator and Section 2.2-
3711.A.1 - Discussion, consideration, or interviews of prospective candidates for
employment; assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries,
disciplining, or resignation of specific public officers, appointees, or employees of any
public body; namely the County Attorney’s performance evaluation. The motion was
seconded by Supervisor Hooker and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Radford, Peters
NAYS: None
The closed sessions were held from 5:15 p.m. until 5:50 p.m.
IN RE: REPORTS AND INQUIRIES OF BOARD MEMBERS
Supervisor Radford stated he had one message that he wants to bring to
light in the last couple of week we have seen the CDC guidelines change and we are
May 25, 2021
368
seeing the gradual coming back to a little bit of normalcy. When he was chair, we went
into a big cocoon with COVID and all the restrictions. It is really great to see things are
starting to open up and if any residents are watching this, the main reason for talking
about this that we have a Country that is just starting to turn on the gas pedal and we
need our workers back on the job. Everywhere he goes in the region, there are help
wanted signs in all kinds of different industries, especially his industry, construction. He
th
encouraged, as we get to open Virginia up more, thinks May 28 the Governor is going
to come out and relax some more restrictions so we will be able to get a little more
heated up with the economy. Just wanted to pass along. Anybody who is sitting on the
sidelines waiting for this, it is almost over. We welcome you back. We need workers.
We need you back into the game.
Supervisor Hooker gave a shout out to Chief Griffith because his daughter
was involved and did not want to single him out with everyone else. She knows he is
proud and we are proud of Clare too.
Supervisor North stated he noticed in the packet that the economic
indicator of sales tax has risen to 4.6%, yet it could be so much more probably if
everyone was back to full employment. It can only continue to grow and go upwards;
that is a good sign that continued to be positive. He joined the Chairman today at the
Glade Creek Park Ribbon Cutting that used to be referred to as the RCC ball field
where he coached baseball. It was nice to go back and see that area has been cleaned
up and renovated a bit. It is going to connect to the Greenway to Gish Mill, which will
connect into the Vinyard Park area, so it was a fine morning in Vinton.
IN RE: WORK SESSIONS
1. Work session to review with the Board of Supervisors the CARES
Act final expenditures and provide an overview of the American
Rescue Plan Act (Laurie Gearheart, Director of Finance and
Management Services)
Mr. O’Donnell provided introduction and turned the meeting over to Laurie
Gearheart who detailed the PowerPoint presentation.
Supervisor Mahoney stated maybe he is being too pessimistic, but from
many of the articles he has read, it talks about how there's still this unknown about what
future medical or health impacts may arise as a result of COVID. We don't know that,
and that's something that'll occur over the next couple years. With that in mind, in terms
of the time frame within which we have to spend money, he is worried and is
anticipating that we're going to start seeing substantial increases in our health insurance
premiums not this year, but maybe a year after. But he does not know if those increases
would necessarily occur by 2024. He thinks they're going to happen and is just afraid it's
going to be 2025 or 2026, down the road when we start to see the adverse impacts
medical-wise, psychological, emotional, of employees having COVID or having been
May 25, 2021
369
exposed to COVID. He guessed he was hoping that if, not that you want your
employees to suffer, but if you started to see those increased health insurance costs,
then you could take some of those dollars to help mitigate and address some of those
health insurance increases, since we're basically self-insured. Does that make sense?
Ms. Gearheart responded it does make sense, and that's a genuine concern. One of the
conversations that we've already started having in our little incident management group
upstairs, as Human Resources (Anita Hassell) is talking with Marathon and talking
about the calls that they're getting, she does think that, again, we need to figure all this
out. But she does think one of the things that we need to look at is possibly some
additional mental health services for our employees sooner than later to maybe help
mitigate a couple of years from now. If we can get on the front end of it, maybe we can
help flatten what happens to us on the back end.
Supervisor Hooker asked if that would be counseling. Ms. Gearheart
responded in the affirmative stating that it could be and those are the kind of talks we’ll
have to have to decide, but counseling absolutely would be a legitimate expense. Mr.
O’Donnell stated there is no question that the stress level of the workforce, not just
here, but just about everywhere.
Rebecca Owens, Assistant County Administrator added to Mr. Mahoney’s
comments that with regard to the last health insurance renewal, that is one of the things
we talked about. We very well could see over the next year, the pent up demand. It
could very well be this fall.
Supervisor Mahoney asked what happens if you see it over the next six to
nine months; the County won’t see those increase until a year later, correct? Ms.
Owens responded in the affirmative.
Mr. O’Donnell stated outside of our own workforce, the response to
addiction issues is through the roof, throughout the whole community. So we may want
to look at programs for the community and not just employees. Supervisor North asked
if this was a State-wide trend, with Mr. O’Donnell advising it is National.
Supervisor Radford stated with regard to page 10, hitchhiking off of small
businesses, i.e. Just the Right Gear and Cardinal Bicycle, the pandemic shut down all
the bicycle manufacturers. The stores are empty. Does this help address any of that?
Ms. Gearheart advised the impact to industries is specifically to help with the recovery
of tourism, travel and hospital sectors. You could say the bicycles are impacted with
our greenways.
Supervisor Radford stated the same could be said for plywood, shingles,
fiberglass tub showers, etc.
Supervisor North asked if our friends at Virginia’s Blue Ridge be impacted,
with Mr. O’Donnell responding they may be government set off by loss of revenue.
There are a lot of different ways to look at a lot of these things, but certainly, they would
qualify as tourism impacted, but they are non-profit so we don’t know how that is going
to work.
May 25, 2021
370
Supervisor Hooker stated something that Supervisor Radford hit on earlier
this afternoon, what about workers who are hesitant to go back to work. How do you
resolve that with Supervisor Peters advising they are getting an extra $300 a week. He
hears it from business owners daily.
Supervisor Mahoney was thinking off the top of his head in Roanoke
County; Plastics One, Cardinal Glass, Ardaugh, Elbit. He is trying to think of industries
in Roanoke County and were they effected. Assuming the regulations come out in
some positive manner, is it the intent to try and provide some economic dollars to the
“industries” that are in the County. Supervisor Peters responded it would be something
that we would have to analyze. He spoke with Cardinal Glass and they are adding
people, shifts, etc. because they cannot keep up. Just because they can make the
glass does not mean the windows are being made. There seems to be a hiccup
somewhere in the process. Supervisor North stated part of the problem is the supply
chain and transportation.
Mr. O’Donnell stated his recommendation is to wait and see what the
State does in special session. He has sent out the broadband presentation.
Ms. Gearheart then reviewed another category to provide equity focused
services. This category is used to address the disproportionate needs of the public
health and economic impact, so the crisis on the hardest hit communities and
populations and households. Examples include remediation of lead hazards,
community violence intervention programs, service to address homelessness,
affordable housing development, expanded early learning services, offering tutoring or
after school programs. But these recovery funds can be used in this category if these
services are provided within a qualified census track which is a low income area
designated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to families living in
the qualified census track or, you love the generic catch-all, or to other populations,
households, or geographic areas disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. But the
key is that it needs to be directly related to them being a little bit harder hit with the
pandemic than the average household.
Supervisor Mahoney inquired if we have a qualified census track? Ms.
Gearheart responded we would need to have dome conversations. We need to talk to
Joyce Earl in social services. We do have some low incomes areas like the Village, off
Garst Mill.
Mr. O’Donnell stated he thinks it’s a proportion of low to moderate income
people in the census track.
Supervisor Mahoney inquired if TAP an entity that is eligible to receive
funds under the federal guidelines. He added he is on the TAP Board and he is thinking
they may have their own source from the federal government so it would not necessary
be coming from us. Ms. Owens responded they did under the CARES, because they
did some of their own programs for citizens for rent relief, etc. Ms. Gearheart added
there are various pocket of funds coming down from the State. So they could potentially
qualify for some of that money as well.
May 25, 2021
371
Ms. Gearheart then advised the next category is to replace lost revenues,
which ARPA funds can be used to replace those revenues.
Mr. O’Donnell advised the number one item that he continues to hear on
NACO calls is calculate your loss of revenue and fund that first because that gives you
the most flexibility to use how you want to. The only two prohibitions are paying for debt
service and funding reserves. He then added with regard to loss of revenue, it is not
really just a flat-line revenue because we are assuming you were going to increase you
can either use 4.1% as an increase each year, the higher of 4.1% or whatever the
average was by the previous three (3) years. Our revenue only goes up between three
(3%) and four (4%). So, probably we will be using 4.1%. Lost revenue anticipates
growth in revenue on a normal basis. He also noted there are several exclusions.
Ms. Gearheart advised another category is the water/sewer/broadband
infrastructure. The interim final rule aligns eligible uses of the funds with the wide range
of types of categories of projects that would be eligible to receive financial assistance
through the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Water State Revolving Fund and
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. Eligible projects include managing and treating
stormwater or sub-surface drainage water and address impacts of the climate change.
Supervisor Radford asked whether extending water/sewer lines with Mr.
O’Donnell responding in the affirmative. He then asked about certain roads west of
here with Mr. O’Donnell responding that it is a possibility.
Ms. Gearheart advised investments can be made in broadband in areas
that are currently unserved or underserved.
Supervisor North stated on the VACo call today that he and Mr. Caywood
were on, they suggested we advised VACo of what our needs are so they can share
with the legislatures before summer session.
Supervisor Mahoney commented it appears to him that we are going to be
living with this for the next four (4) to five (5) years. He is concerned we will burn Ms.
Gearheart out doing this as well as everything else. Would you see the need to hire
another person to monitor this, make sure we are doing everything right so we don’t
have to give the money back in 2026. Can you use some of this money for this with
Supervisor North advising it came up on the VACo call this morning and their response
was, “We’ll get back to you.”
Supervisor North then asked what about the internal auditor position, with
Mr. O’Donnell advising we are recruiting for that position.
The work session was held from 4:07 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
IN RE: CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION
May 25, 2021
372
RESOLUTION 052521-7 CERTIFYING THE CLOSED MEETING
WAS HELD IN CONFORMITY WITH THE CODE OF VIRGINIA
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia has convened
a closed meeting on this date pursuant to an affirmative recorded vote and in
accordance with the provisions of The Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and
WHEREAS, Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by
the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, that such closed meeting was
conducted in conformity with Virginia law.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County, Virginia, hereby certifies that, to the best of each member’s
knowledge:
1. Only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting
requirements by Virginia law were discussed in the closed meeting which this
certification resolution applies; and
2. Only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening
the closed meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County, Virginia.
On motion of Supervisor Peters to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
Radford and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Radford, Peters
NAYS: None
IN RE: ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Peters adjourned the meeting at 5:51 p.m.
Submitted by: Approved by:
________________________ ___________________________________
Deborah C. Jacks P. Jason Peters
Chief Deputy Clerk to the Board Chairman